Sulom rebuffs nomads, silver
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has turned down a joint request from Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to postpone their TNM Super League match scheduled for tomorrow at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Sulom has since launched a match-fixing probe against the two teams.
In a letter dated July 17 2023, the two clubs requested the postponement on the basis that their players, who were with the Flames in Durban for the Cosafa Cup, needed time to rest.
They also argued that being a high-profile game, it would attract more revenue if they can play during weekend.
Reads the letter in part: “We, Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers football clubs, jointly write this letter to request your good office to shift the game from 20th July 2023 to 12th August 2023 based on current schedule of various football matches.
“The two teams have talked, discussed and agreed to ask your good office to shift the game.
“Our agreement is that our games slated on these days [August 12], being Wanderers versus Red Lions and Silver Strikers versus Blue Eagles, should be rescheduled to mid-week.”
But the league runners have taken a tough stance on the two teams in their response dated yesterday, saying:“Kindly note that it is illegal for teams in any competition to conspire and discuss a league match without the knowledge of Sulom. Such conduct has raised suspicions of match-fixing.
“In this regard, Sulom has commenced match-fixing investigations and appropriate remedial actions shall be taken against any team or official who shall be found on the wrong side of the law.”
The letter, signed by Sulom general secretary Williams Banda further says: “We regret to inform you that the request did not meet the requirements of Article 19.4as read with 19.12 of the Super League rules and regulation.
It says accordingly, the match will proceed as scheduled tomorrow and failure to fulfill the fixture shall lead to forfeiture of points as per the league’s rules and regulations.
In an interview, Wanderers acting chief executive officer Roosvelt Mpinganjira said they are not amused with Sulom’s response.
He said: “Not strange at all coming from our league managers, we know how they behave.
“We will play, it was a request and we expected a yes or no answer. However, to whose benefit is the response? Football or individual? Let us make our football win.”
Wanderers and Silver were exempted from matches having contributed four players each to the Flames squad which was in South Africa for the Cosafa Cup. As a result, they have played 11 games each, two less than most of the teams.
Silver lie second in the 16 team league with 25 points, a point below leaders Bullets, who have played a game more.
On the other hand, the Nomads are fifth with 19 points in the 16-team top-flight league.
